South Sudan

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said at least 58 people died after a vessel from the Gambia carrying some 150 migrants sank as it approached Mauritania, while 83 others who swam ashore are receiving medical assistance.  IOM is providing first aid kits and blankets to those injured.

The Special Representative for Iraq told the Security Council that hundreds of thousands of Iraqis - from all walks of life – have taken to the streets out of love for their homeland, expressing frustration for the lack of progress and calling for the country to reach its full potential for the benefit of all Iraqis.

Marking International Day to End Violence against Women, the Secretary-General reiterated the United Nations commitment to end all forms of violence against women and girls, which are among the most horrific, persistent and widespread human rights violations and affect one in every three women in the world.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Karen Pierce (United Kingdom):

The Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until 15 May 2020, specifying “measurable progress” in border issues needed from Sudan and South Sudan before that date.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary‑General António Guterres:

An estimated 60,000 young refugees and migrants, who arrived in Italy between 2014 and 2018 as unaccompanied children, still require support to ensure their successful transition into adulthood, a new report by the United Nations Children’s Fund and the High Commissioner for Refugees finds.

Welcoming the political transition and the launch of a countrywide peace process in Sudan, the Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the African Union‑United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) by one year, until 31 October 2020.

The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria launched the Syrian-led, Syrian-owned inclusive Constitutional Committee in Geneva today, bringing together for the first time Government and opposition nominees, with women making up 30 per cent of the 150 participants, following a nearly nine-year-long conflict.

The Government of Zambia, the United Nations and partners launched a response plan after the poorest rainfall in decades is expected to leave 2.4 million severely food insecure.  Meanwhile, humanitarian partners in Somalia and South Sudan are scaling up responses to severe seasonal flooding that affected 1 million.